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Viewing cable 10BISHKEK37, PRESIDENT BAKIYEV OUTLINES A NEW FOREIGN POLICY

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
10BISHKEK37 2010-01-12 07:20 2011-08-30 01:44 CONFIDENTIAL Embassy Bishkek
VZCZCXRO5486
OO RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHLH RUEHNEH RUEHPW
DE RUEHEK #0037/01 0120720
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 120720Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY BISHKEK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2952
INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 1620
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE IMMEDIATE 3675
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 3068
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO BRUSSELS BE IMMEDIATE
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS IMMEDIATE
RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000037 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/12/2020 
TAGS: PGOV PREL KG
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT BAKIYEV OUTLINES A NEW FOREIGN POLICY 
DOCTRINE AND VOWS TO CONTINUE LARGE-SCALE REFORMS IN 2010 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Tatiana C. Gfoeller, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (C) Summary: In two separate speeches during the last week 
of December, Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev voiced the 
need for a new Kyrgyz foreign policy doctrine better suited 
to the country,s current challenges, and vowed to continue 
with a series of large-scale reforms initiated in 2009. 
While the President,s address on foreign policy offered no 
radical changes, it suggests some subtle adjustments more in 
tune with Kyrgyzstan,s national interests and not those of 
their larger more powerful neighbors. End Summary. 
 
New Foreign Policy Doctrine 
--------------------------- 
 
2. (C) At a December 24 ceremonial event honoring the 65th 
anniversary of the State Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in all 
of its various forms), President Bakiyev reviewed the recent 
foreign policy successes of Kyrgyzstan and noted that recent 
international trends necessitated a rethinking of Kyrgyz 
foreign policy that would be better suited to today,s 
challenges and threats.  Bakiyev clarified that he did not 
intend revolutionary changes and that Kyrgyzstan would adhere 
strictly to its present commitments and obligations.  Bakiyev 
cited a list of concerns, including the growth of 
international terrorism, regional threats (the war in 
Afghanistan, border conflicts, drug trafficking), energy and 
water-related issues and the global financial crisis.  What 
Kyrgyzstan needed at this time he explained, was a more 
pro-active foreign policy better suited to addressing these 
issues. 
 
3. (C) Bakiyev explained that such a policy would emphasize 
those strategic goals that would lead ultimately to the 
renewal of Kyrgyzstan.  He highlighted that the new policy 
would not be limited by established ties and traditions, 
possibly referring to Russia, but should consider new 
opportunities and relationships and take a multi-vector 
approach.  From a political standpoint, the President 
indicated that the primary task of the new system would be 
the strengthening of Kyrgyzstan,s national security and 
territorial integrity.  He spoke of a need to further develop 
relations among the Central Asian nations, and to continue 
fighting against terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking and 
international crime.  Bakiyev again pitched "The Bishkek 
Initiative" as a forum for addressing the security and 
stability of Afghanistan, but provided no new details. 
 
4. (C) Economically, Bakiyev cited the location of Kyrgyzstan 
and its ability to play a transit and logistics role as a 
potential resource.  He noted that the development of 
logistical and transport services would not only benefit this 
particular sector, but also lead to the development of other 
spheres of the economy.  The President cited the need to 
create a more favorable environment for the attraction of 
foreign investment, to remove obstacles that limit economic 
and commercial cooperation, and to continue accepting foreign 
assistance.  Bakiyev spoke briefly about the need for 
regional cooperation, including the sharing of water and 
energy resources, and the importance of improving the 
educational and social structures of Kyrgyzstan.  In closing, 
Bakiyev reinforced the role of the MFA as the primary 
implementer of foreign policy, and asked that the State 
Minister of Foreign Affairs submit drafts of a new concept 
addressing the above objectives. 
 
Continued Reforms in 2010 
------------------------- 
 
5. (C) During President Bakiyev,s annual televised New 
Year,s Eve greeting, he spoke briefly of the need to 
continue the major government reforms started in 2009.  The 
President specifically emphasized the reforms, goals to grow 
the economy and improve the healthcare and educational 
systems.  Bakiyev stated that the Government would take 
 
BISHKEK 00000037  002 OF 002 
 
 
actions in 2010 to ensure that every family grew stronger and 
more prosperous. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
6. (C) While rather general, the President,s speech on a new 
foreign policy doctrine may evince a desire to move away from 
some long-standing policies that, while beneficial to 
countries such as Russia, may not be in Kyrgyzstan,s best 
interest.  While the President said in his speech that the 
MFA would develop the new doctrine, different sources 
indicate that others, such as the head of the Presidential 
Secretariat, Oksana Malevanaya, may be playing a more 
significant role. 
GFOELLER