| Fact Sheet Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Washington, DC August 17, 2005 U.S. Assistance to the Kyrgyz Republic -- Fiscal Year 2005Democratic and economic reforms and anti-corruption efforts are the focus of U.S. assistance to the Kyrgyz Republic in Fiscal Year 2005, especially following the events surrounding the marred February 2005 Parliamentary elections and the subsequent collapse of the Akayev government on March 24. In Fiscal Year 2005, the estimated $50.4 million budgeted by all U.S. Government agencies for assistance programs in the Kyrgyz Republic is allocated roughly as follows based on information available as of the date of this fact sheet: (Note: the figures below include $10 million from the FY 2005 Supplemental that will be budgeted for programs to consolidate democratic gains, fight corruption and narcotics trafficking, and improve border security.)
Democracy programs in the Kyrgyz Republic focus on improving the political process, increasing the accountability of government institutions, strengthening civil society and public advocacy, and supporting independent media. In preparation for parliamentary and presidential elections in 2005, the U.S. Government is providing non-partisan training and assistance to civil society and advocacy groups, independent media, independent monitors, candidates’ campaign staffs, and political parties. In addition, the U.S. Government is providing assistance and training to the Kyrgyz Central Election Commission and poll workers to help strengthen the electoral process. Other democracy assistance programs train judges and lawyers, encourage citizen participation in local government decision-making, support non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and human rights advocates, promote civic education, advance efforts to end trafficking-in-persons, and facilitate the process of government decentralization. Training and exchange programs seek to create a cadre of reform-minded, action-oriented citizens by reaching out to the next generation of leaders and giving them first-hand experience with the day-to-day functioning of a market-based, democratic system. Last year, the U.S. Government sent 139 Kyrgyz citizens to the United States on a wide array of academic and professional exchange programs, adding to the total of 2,900 Kyrgyz exchange participants since 1993. Programs to strengthen social services and alleviate poverty target education, community development, and health-care. The education reform program seeks to improve teachers’ skills, update curricula, increase parent and community involvement in schools, strengthen the capacity of school administration, enhance academic honesty, and improve school infrastructure. U.S. Government funding also supported the creation of the first independent national scholarship test that awards state-funded university scholarships on merit. Additionally, conflict mitigation programs mobilize local communities to decrease tensions and improve social conditions through a participatory process. Small-scale infrastructure improvements include the rehabilitation of schools and irrigation canals. Health care assistance programs work with the World Bank and other donors, and with the Ministry of Health, to improve access to equitable, efficient, and quality primary health care services and establish public guidelines for co-payments to medical providers. Infectious diseases programs are fighting tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. Other programs promote health among youth, aim to improve mother and child healthcare, and work to reduce the demand for illicit drugs. Market reform programs support projects in the areas of accounting, commercial law, customs modernization, and fiscal, banking, and land reform. The U.S. Government provides assistance, training, legal advice, and some financing to agribusiness, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and microbusinesses. Other economic programs aim to reduce constraints to investment and promote better business education. A new water users’ association project focuses on increasing community participation in efficient water use, infrastructure repair, and maintenance programs. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) also has supported demonstration models of energy efficiency and pilot programs to help the utility sector increase revenues through improved energy metering and collection. The U.S. Government is providing technical assistance, training, and equipment to reform law enforcement agencies and address narco-trafficking and terrorism concerns. The Anti-Crime Training and Technical Assistance (ACTTA) program has supported the creation of a new Kyrgyz Drug Control Agency by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). This assistance, through the International Organization for Migration, has helped the Kyrgyz government with their Passport Project to produce official documents that are less susceptible to counterfeiting and use by criminals and terrorists. Judicial and law enforcement reform projects will provide training in a wide variety of law enforcement areas and money laundering prevention. Security programs seek to support the Kyrgyz Republic’s role in the Global War on Terrorism and Operation Enduring Freedom, improve interoperability with international forces, and increase Kyrgyz capabilities to patrol and secure its borders. The Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) assistance program works with Kyrgyz Republic officials to improve their detection capabilities against weapons proliferation and other illicit trafficking. The Aviation Interdiction Project (A/IP) also assists in this effort. EXBS recent contacts with the new Kyrgyz Government resulted in launching of two program initiatives called the United State Department of Energy "Second Line of Defense" and the United State Department of Commerce "Tracker System" that will ensure licensing of Weapons of Mass Destruction, Military and Double use products, and monitoring capabilities at the borders. Foreign Military Financing (FMF) helps to properly equip rapid reaction forces in the border regions near Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. FMF also supports command, control, and communications nodes for tactical and state-level capabilities. International Military Education and Training funds help provide English language training and facilitate greater professionalism and reform of the armed forces. The U.S. Government also provides nonproliferation assistance for the Kyrgyz Republic, including funding for joint research activities and support for the Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF). The U.S. Government funds science centers, bio-chem redirect, and bioindustry initiative programs and is working through the multilateral International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) in Moscow to engage scientists from the former Soviet Union in transparent, sustainable, and cooperative civilian research projects. The U.S. Department of State (DOS) Humanitarian Program ships and distributes humanitarian commodities to the most needy individuals, families, and institutions in the Kyrgyz Republic. The main commodities provided are medicines, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and supplies, emergency shelter items, food, and clothing. In response to political unrest in Spring 2005, the Department of State humanitarian program delivered an air shipment of over $2.5 million in medical supplies and medicines. The shipment signaled the continuing support of the U.S. Government for the people of the Kyrgyz Republic by supporting health infrastructure and assisting with the treatment of those wounded during the March protests. The total value of all humanitarian assistance is estimated to be in excess of $20 million in FY 2005. In addition, 100 Peace Corps Volunteers work in the areas of English education and sustainable economic and organizational development.
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