U.S. Assistance to the Kyrgyz Republic - Fiscal Year 2003

The Kyrgyz Republic assistance program includes a broad range of macroeconomic reform and micro-finance, support for a lively civil society, and security assistance to help the Kyrgyz defend their borders from the transit of weapons of mass destruction, illicit drugs, and persons of concern.

In Fiscal Year 2003, the $56.6 million budgeted by all U.S. Government agencies for assistance programs in the Kyrgyz Republic is allocated roughly as follows: 

Democracy Programs	$13.5 million
Economic & Social Reform	$19.9 million
Security & Law Enforcement	$10.3 million
Humanitarian Assistance	$ 9.1 million
Cross Sectoral Initiatives	$ 3.8 million

Democracy programs in the Kyrgyz Republic focus on improving political processes and government institutions, strengthening civil society and public advocacy, and supporting independent media. Assistance programs train judges and lawyers, encourage citizen participation in local government decision-making, support the work of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and professional associations, and strengthen the work of the national legislature and constitutional council. Support continues for a network of civil society centers and training specifically geared for human rights advocates. The independent media program provides training and assistance to print and broadcast outlets.

A media production fund helps to create local programming. Funding also supports civic education and anti-trafficking in persons programs. Small grant-making programs administered by the National Endowment for Democracy, Eurasia Foundation, and U.S. Embassy in Bishkek support the work of indigenous NGOs to promote civil society, human rights, private enterprise development, local government accountability, freedom of speech, independent media, and other initiatives to advance democracy in the Kyrgyz Republic.

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. In 2002, the U.S. Government sent over 310 Kyrgyz citizens to the United States on academic and professional exchange programs in fields ranging from management to social service provision to NGO development. Since 1993, the U.S. Government has funded the travel of over 2,600 Kyrgyz citizens to the United States on these programs. The U.S. Government also provided a $10 million endowment (which was matched by a $5 million contribution by the Open Society Institute) to the American University of Central Asia, to strengthen its ability to serve as a regional model for integrity and free inquiry in higher education. The U.S. Government also promotes access to information through programs like the Internet Access and Training program, which supports 13 free access sites in 11 cities throughout the Kyrgyz Republic.

Support to strengthen provision of social services targets improvements in education, community development, and health-care services. In an effort to counteract the deterioration of the education system, a new program aims to equip students with civic and labor force skills. The program trains teachers in interactive teaching methods, integrating critical thinking and learning techniques into curricula and teaching materials. Other program goals include increasing parent and community involvement in schools, strengthening the capacity of school administration, and improving school infrastructure. FSA funding supported the creation in the Kyrgyz Republic of the only independent national scholarship test that awards state-funded university scholarships on merit.

The Community Action Investment Program (CAIP) aims to mitigate sources of conflict in conflict-prone areas by mobilizing local communities to improve social conditions through small-scale, labor-intensive infrastructure projects such as rehabilitating schools or irrigation canals.

Health care assistance programs work with the World Bank and the Ministry of Health to create a more cost-effective health care system to improve families' access to equitable, efficient, and quality primary health care services. The focus is to improve the quality, incentives, and the budgetary resources for family doctors providing primary health care services. Infectious diseases programs are fighting tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. Other programs include mother and child health care, building the capacity of health-related NGOs, and a sport and health program that promotes health among youth in the Ferghana Valley.

Market reform programs include accounting, commercial law, customs modernization, fiscal, banking, and land reform technical assistance. To help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the agricultural sector, the U.S. Government provides training, assistance and consulting to promote agribusiness, land reform, and water user rights. The assistance program is also providing support to European Bank for Reconstruction and Development partner banks and microfinance institutions as well as training for small and medium-sized business entrepreneurs. The Government of the Kyrgyz Republic completed the tax reform assistance program with the adoption of a new, simplified tax code for SMEs. The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is considering projects to assist with the expansion and modernization of the Manas airport and development of medium- to small-sized gold deposits. Environmental assistance focuses on water management to improve resource efficiency and mitigate the potential for conflict over shared resources. Trans-boundary activities include training, increased policy dialogue, and introduction of sustainable energy and water management models.

Security assistance includes training and equipment for border guards and Customs components through the Export Control and Related Border Security Assistance Program (EXBS). Foreign Military Financing (FMF) seeks to improve Kyrgyz counter-terrorism, peacekeeping and search-and-rescue capabilities. The International Military Education and Training (IMET) program continues to encourage the Kyrgyz Republic’s efforts in Partnership for Peace activities and military reform. In addition, the State Department funds research grant proposals to redirect former Soviet weapons scientists to peaceful, civilian research.

Anti-crime training and technical assistance programs provide training and infrastructure to enhance the counter-narcotics capabilities of Kyrgyz anti-drug units. In FY 2002 and 2003, FSA assistance supported the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Organization on Migration. Additional projects support judicial and law enforcement reform and training in investigative techniques, anti-money laundering, and creation of an anti-trafficking in persons (TIP) investigative unit within the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Humanitarian Programs for the Kyrgyz Republic in FY 2003 include the provision of over $11 million of donated medicines, pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, clothing, and food through the Department of State Humanitarian Transport Program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Agency for International Development allocated a combined $7.5 million in food-aid programs administered through private voluntary organizations.

Fifty-eight Peace Corps volunteers are working in the areas of English education and sustainable economic and organizational development.