C O N F I D E N T I A L BISHKEK 000452
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
DEPT ALSO FOR DS/IP/SPC - WEINBURG
DEPT ALSO FOR DS/IP/NEA/SA - GALLO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2017
TAGS: ASEC, CASC, PGOV, PINR, PREL, KG
SUBJECT: BISHKEK EAC MEETING REGARDING ON-GOING
DEMONSTRATIONS
Classified By: DCM Lee Litzenberger for reasons 1.4 (b and d)
1. (U) Ambassador chaired a meeting of the Bishkek
Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on April 20, 2007 to review
demonstration-related events of the past few days and make
security plans for the coming weekend. Present were: AMB,
DCM, RSO, Pol/RA, RSL, DAO, Pol/Econ, PAO, MED, MGT, Peace
Corps, and CON.
2. (C) Ambassador reported that during the late evening of
April 19 demonstrators had moved against the White House and
were dispersed by Militia using tear gas and percussion
grenades. Police dismanteled all yurts and tents erected on
Ala-Too Square. There were unconfirmed reports of limited
looting, and press reports that police may be arresting
organizers of the demonstrations on April 20. Early April 20
Kyrgyz intelligence services sent 30 agents to the Freedom
House printing press to seize all electronic files, printing
plates, and printed copies of four opposition newspapers.
Government response has been disciplined to date, but another
rally is reportedly scheduled for Friday afternoon.
3. (SBU) RSO reported that as of 1000 April 20 there were
approximately 100 demonstrators near Ala-Too Square, all
streets in the downtown area were open to traffic, and
warrents have been issued for the arrest of opposition
leaders.
4. (SBU) EAC discussion centered around the need to issue a
Security Message from RSO concerning the broader perimeter of
police and demonstrator activity beyond Ala-Too square, and
the possibility of renewed clashes over the weekend. CON
will send a parellel Warden Message to all AmCits in
Kyrgyzstan via e-mail advising avoidance of the downtown area.
5. (U) EAC meetings will be held on an as-needed basis
until demonstrations end.
YOVANOVITCH